Outcome: The Process of Aging

Examine the process of aging and the biological, social, and psychological changes and perceptions associated with growing old

Old age affects every aspect of human life: biological, social, and psychological. Although medical technology has lengthened life expectancies, it cannot eradicate aging and death. Cultural attitudes shape the way our society views old age and dying, but these attitudes shift and evolve over time. In this section, you’ll learn about the types of changes that occur during late adulthood and examine attitudes towards death and dying.
Watch this video for some advice from a few of the world’s oldest people to hear what they have to say about ways that you can also live to be the oldest person alive.

What you’ll learn to do:

  • Consider the biological changes in aging and describe aging and sexuality
  • Explain social and psychological changes of aging
  • Examine attitudes toward death and dying and how they affect the elderly
  • Name the five stages of grief developed by Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

Learning Activities

The learning activities for this section include:

  • Reading: Growing Old
  • Reading: Social and Psychological Changes of Aging
  • Reading: Death and Dying
  • Self-Check: The Process of Aging